By the time you’ve reached 20, most people have moved at least once in their life, and for many the move into a first apartment or dorm room is fresh in their minds. Although the thought of moving can sometimes be scary—regardless of how many times you’ve done it—it’s also a great way to reset and reorganize your stuff and your life. Take the opportunity to reassess and you may find it was just what you needed.
- Moving is a chance to get rid of old things
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The past two years, when I’ve moved into a new apartment, (or most recently, a house!) I’ve used it as an excuse to go through my closet and decide what I really want to keep. I have a tendency to hang on to pretty much all my clothing for some sentimental value and moving is a great way to force myself to get rid of things that I haven’t worn since my freshman year of high school. Don’t just limit this to clothes though—go through your makeup drawer, your school supplies, and even your kitchen to make sure you’re not hanging onto things you haven’t used during the entirety of your lease.
- Being in a new place can help you break bad habits
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Let’s face it: humans are creatures of habit, and sometimes you build up some bad habits. But that’s okay! If you’re moving to a new place, take the opportunity to find a new routine that’s better for your mind and body. Work on sitting down and eating meals, organizing your fridge so you don’t have to dig for five minutes for everything, or even just not spending ten minutes on your phone before you get out of bed every morning. And then promise yourself yet again that you won’t eat on your bed this time—and try to last more than a month.
- Moving is a good reason to reorganize
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Every home is different when it comes to storage, which means that regardless of how well-organized your current place is, it’s a great idea to take the time to re-organize. This goes hand-in-hand with getting rid of old stuff, but it doesn’t mean you have to. Rather than trying to go completely minimalist, make an effort to find more organizational tools so there’s actually a place for everything. If it helps, use open shelving so things have to look good, rather than shoving them in bins deep in your closet.
- A new place is a chance to see things in a different light
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Even if you’ve lived in the same city your entire life, a new place will force you to familiarize yourself with an entirely new area. Take the opportunity to get to know your neighborhood and really soak it in. Visit the coffee shop around the corner and see if you like studying there, or even go the extra mile and take homemade cookies to your new neighbors! It’s exciting to figure out how you fit into a new space, even if you feel like it’s not that big of a move.
All in all, moving really is the perfect way to mentally reset and figure out what you want your life to be like for the next year. Even if you’ll miss the place you’re moving away from, a new home is a chance to make new memories and break old habits.